Poster #56 - Development and Field Testing of Parenting Modules for Rural, Tribal and Urban Regions in India

• In Event: Poster Session 08

Abstract

Introduction
India, the second largest populated country in the world, is home for 16.45 million children in the age group 0-6 years which constitute 13.59 % of the total population (Bhaskar & Shankar, 2018). Gujarat is a state along the western coast of India. The neonatal mortality rate is high in the state, contributing to 63 % of under five deaths where more girls died than boys (UNICEF, n. d.). Through child-rearing practices, the values, and ideals of one culture are transmitted to the next generation (Keshavarz & Baharudin, 2009). Factors such as economic hardships, increased vulnerabilities and difficulty coping with a fast-changing world, and educational deprivation have an adverse impact on parenting goals and hence are necessary to address. This paper reports on the outcomes of a project in Gujarat with the following objectives:

• To understand and support positive parenting practices among the focal groups, Anganwadi Workers and parents of young children in rural, tribal, and urban low-income households in Gujarat, India.
• To create a set of modules explored by researchers that would improve and sustain best positive parenting practices.

Early Childhood Development (ECD) Framework
This study incorporated the ECD Framework, which acknowledges that the period from pregnancy to 3 years is the most critical because 80% of a baby’s brain is formed by this age and they are most susceptible to environmental influences (UNICEF, 2018). Healthy development and adjustment of children is supported by positive parenting to promote nurturing family environments (USAID, 2012).

Methods
Multiple methods were used during field visits like field observations, focus group discussions and interviews. Overall, 62 parents and 10 AWWs participated in these discussions and interviews. Responses were coded and recurring themes were identified. Later, themes were compared to ECD framework for developing a set of modules on positive parenting. The direct beneficiaries of the intervention were Anganwadi Workers (AWW) of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and parents of children (0-6 years) attending Anganwadis. Anganwadi centers help in providing an integrated package of services like health and nutrition for mother and child along with preschool education.

Findings
Certain parenting principles, beliefs and practices were common across all the sites, irrespective of the context. The findings were broken down into themes which were summarized into ten modules (domains). All the mothers were aware about the importance of 6 months of breastfeeding, yet most of them were unaware about the importance of colostrum. Mothers to a large extent were busy with their household chores like cooking, cleaning, and childcare. Irrespective of the context, physical punishment was the main technique used to discipline the child. Children in urban settings spent more screen time due to easy access and by imitating their parents. Certain cultural beliefs and practices such as gender beliefs (e.g., bias towards a male child) are deeply entrenched in mentalities and hence are challenging yet necessary to address.

Additional findings that emerged from focus group discussions which led to the development of modules will be discussed at the poster presentation conference.

Authors

• Aishwarya Ganesh, Oakland University
  Presenting Author

• Shagufa Kapadia, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

• Jigisha Gala

• Shourya Negi, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

• Mansi Thakkar

• Pooja Gandhi